Pastor Renee will be on vacation from July 24-31. During this time she will be unavailable as she will be collecting mountain climbing illustrations for upcoming sermons.
Thanks to those who have been participating in the Under the Shade Tree Bible Study this spring – summer. This group will take a break, beginning July 27, longer term plans to be determined. As pastors, we’ve appreciated your engagement that has helped us prepare for Sunday morning worship and preaching!
Porch Project: Thanks to those of you who have participated in the Porch Project. Keep your photos coming! You can send them to Pastor Renee at renee@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Follow this link to see the faces of 60+ BCMCers: https://cruxphotos.smugmug.com/BCMC-Porch/
PLEASE NOTE: these photos are meant to be enjoyed by our church community. Please do not share them (via social media, etc) unless you have received permission of the people in the photo.
KONE has completed its work to repair the elevator, for which we are grateful! Unanticipated additional expenses increased the overall cost by $12,806. The plant fund, bequest monies, and designated donations have covered nearly 88% of the cost, but we still need to fundraise nearly $8,000. You can give to the cause by sending a check to the church office or giving electronically (on website: SUPPORT BCMC) and designating your contribution to the elevator fund. If you mail your check, please make it out to BCMC with “Elevator” in the memo line. Address it to: Bethel College Mennonite Church, PO Box 364, North Newton, KS, 67117. (Monica collects the mail every day and distributes it.) Thanks in advance for your support!
Bethel College Student Donations
The Bethel College Relations Team is seeking nonperishable items to give to Bethel College students during their first week of class. We are looking for items such as: ramen noodles, microwavable meals (like mac and cheese), popcorn, etc. We would also welcome masks and travel size hand sanitizer to hand out to students who may need some. Please bring your donations to church and leave them by the white table outside of the church office. Contact Pastor Renee if you have questions.
Announcements
The Harvey County Food and Farm Council just published a “Local Food Guide for Harvey County and Beyond“. It lists local farmers who are willing to sell directly to consumers. The guide can be viewed on the web at https://www.harveycounty.com/foodandfarm/resources.html There are also copies in the church office.
We very much appreciate the cards, food, and caring thoughts from this community following the death of Miner’s sister Nancy. We are blessed to be part of the BCMC community and want to offer you our sincere thanks. Miner and Valetta Seymour
Thanks to the BCMC Church family for all the lovely cards sent in honor of my 80th birthday. I received over 100 cards that made for a very special day in a very unusual time. Your efforts made my birthday special.” Marilyn Stucky
Western District Conference announcements:
Living in Exile WDC Assembly Scriptures: Please read and pray over Jeremiah 29:4 and following and 1 Peter 2:11-12, our Assembly scriptures. Ponder what God might be telling us about how to live out the good news in times of trial, injustice, and fear. There will be chances to talk together during live webinars and during the 3:30 pm Zoom conversation with Danny Carroll R on August 1. https://mennowdc.org/2020-wdc-annual-assembly/
WDC Assembly Video Snapshots: Have you gone to WDC Assembly 2020 on YouTube yet? There are some great stories about WDC churches and the ministries of our various commissions, stories of following Jesus today. You’ll learn things and be inspired. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6aO7e884ZT5d9gHzyrfAucccOFYYd_M5
Looking forward to the Women and Girls Retreat at Camp Mennoscah? The Annual Spring Supper? Help make these events possible by joining the Western District Women in Mission Executive Council! There are nine open positions including: vice president, secretary, treasurer, one position on the Women and Girls Retreat Committee, two positions on the Communications Team, and three positions on the Nominating Committee. A wide variety of openings means we have a place for you and your unique talents and interests. You can help ensure the future of WDWM programming by volunteering for one of these positions. If you are interested in supporting the mission of WDWM by filling one of these roles, email westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com.
Camp Mennoscah announcements
Camp Mennoscah is open to families, individuals, and groups for days and overnights. The number of groups on campgrounds is limited and each family/group will have their own bathroom. Canoes are available for use; paddles and lifejackets are checked out and disinfected after use. Contact us at office@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290. Spend some time at the river, on the trails, or simply enjoying this sacred space.
Camp in a Box from Camp Mennoscah–The vast majority of Camp in the Boxes and tee shirts have been distributed. If you have not received yours (and we have not been in touch), please contact Camp Mennoscah at office@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290. We’ll get it figured out!
The annual Camp Sing scheduled for August 8 has also been cancelled. Staff will continue to brainstorm options for events that can be done safely!
Mennonite church announcements
Everence webinars available:
https://www.everence.com/everence-events/national-advisors-and-representatives/recorded-webinars-past
The Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum, Goessel, will have a benefit Bierock Carry-out Meal. Saturday, August 1, 11 am to 1 pm (while supplies last). The meal is a free-will donation or $10 suggested donation. New Year’s Cookies will also be available by the half dozen and dozen. Suggested donations: $5 and $10, respectively. Look for the arrows to direct traffic past the museum’s Prep School, 200 N. Poplar, Goessel. No reservation needed.
Mennonite Church USA has put together a collection of laments, written by pastors, leaders, lay people and students, on the recent and persistent violence of racism. You are invited to pray and lament along with them: http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/lament-violence-of-racism/
Menno Snapshots: In “Reflections on protesting and faith,” two members of Pasadena Mennonite Church – a Guatemalan mestizo immigrant and a white university professor – discuss the cost of following Christ. Read more: http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/reflections-protesting-and-faith/
Menno Snapshots: Tobin Miller Shearer, co-founder of the Damascus Road Anti-Racism Process, stresses the importance of working together in racially integrated settings in his blog, “The discipline and practice of white caucusing.” http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/white-caucusing/
Join the growing culture of discipleship in the church! Save your spot in the next Missional Discipleship Initiative cohort. Visit MennoniteMission.net/MDI and sign up for the next MDI cycle, starting Sept. 1!
Labor Day Work and Play Retreat is a weekend for families and individuals to volunteer at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. The weekend focuses on work projects, keeping the ministry of camp operating, while also offering a free day on Sunday to enjoy the beautiful mountain. The retreat is scheduled for September 4-7, 2020. Camp will make a decision two-weeks prior to the retreat using current information from state and local agencies to hold the retreat, cancel, or make necessary changes similar to the adjustments made on Memorial Day Work & Play Retreat. In the meantime, plan to join us. You can register online at rmmc.org or call camp at 719-687-9506.
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: July 31 is Stanley W. Green’s last day as Mennonite Mission Network’s executive director after 27 years of faithful service. Pray for Stanley and his wife, Ursula, as they settle in California where Stanley will work as conference minister for the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference. Ask God’s wisdom for Michael J. Sherrill as he becomes executive director on August 1.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the Holy Spirit to empower and guide WDC’s online gathering for Annual Assembly next weekend, as we engage the theme “Living in Exile.
Mennonite Central Committee is hosting virtual alumni gatherings for four of the world regions where MCC works: Latin America and Caribbean, Asia, Europe & Middle East and Africa. And you are invited! Join us for this special time to hear updates from Area Directors about current programming, share stories of service experiences and engage in small group discussions to connect with your MCC friends or meet others who served in the same world region. Find out specific dates, times and register at mcc.org/virtual-alumni-gatherings. Questions? Please contact heidihuber@mcc.org or call 316.283.2720.
Job opening: Mennonite Men, the men’s organization of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada, has an open quarter time position in Communications and Marketing. To see a description of this position, visit MennoniteMen.org or contact Steve Thomas at SteveT@MennoniteMen.org. Resumes are due by August 3.